is definitely going to go over the fiscal cliff, at least technically. what is happening in the senate, the upper house, is that they are still working hard to bridge the gap. we are told by mitch mcconnell, the minority leader there, he says they have got a deal on taxes, but on the spending issue, the sequester issue, as they call is, they have not got a deal, but they are very, very close, so, to be honest with you, we are in no man's land. they are still meeting. i think the feeling is is that they will close the gap. they will come to some agreement, and really to make the point to the rest of the world, i think the senate will vote monday before the deadline. i cannot say, but that is the strong rumor. we are waiting to see, particularly because the house is gone and will not be able to vote until tuesday. >> what do ordinary americans make of this? they see the political squabbling, and the politicians cannot seem to sort it out. they must be very frustrated about this. >> i think frustrated is the right word, beyond frustrated, in that they are n